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Ex-miners appeal for funds to hold Golborne Pit Disaster parade

A PARADE due to be held in memory of 10 men who died in an explosion that rocked a community is under threat.

Plans are under way for a street procession to mark the 35th anniversary of the Golborne Pit Disaster, but new rules mean that organisers need to find £948 to make it happen.

A similar event has been held to mark past anniversaries of the disaster but the Golborne Ex-miners Association has never been asked for money for policing and traffic controls before.

Organiser Eric Foster said: “We will still hold a remembrance service followed by a buffet and some drinks at the Catholic Club but we would all prefer it if we could have the parade.

“We were going to just wait for the 40th anniversary but we are all getting on a bit now and some of the members may not be here next time.

“We will always remember the men who died; we are the only people who are allowed to put flowers in St Thomas’ graveyard for them during lent because the anniversary sometimes falls then.”

John McKenna, Colin Dallimore and John Berry were killed outright following an explosion in the Plodder seam on March 18, 1979.

Brothers Patrick and Peter Grainey, Raymond Hill, Brian Sherman, Bernard Trumble, Desmond Edwards and Walter McPherson died later in hospital from injuries sustained in the disaster.

Mark Tilley, assistant director of infrastructure at Wigan Council, said: “Inevitably with the financial cutbacks imposed on both Greater Manchester Police and Wigan Council it is not sustainable for both authorities to continue to provide the level of support they have in the past for these parades.

“We hope that the council and GMP can work together with organisers to find an approach that will help us to sustain this tradition.”

If you wish to donate to the March 16 event, call Eric on 01942 729587.

Comments

This is outrageous, the policing for the last parade was provided by dedicated Special Constables who provide their time free of charge so may I suggest you write to GMP and put this to them.

This is outrageous, the policing for the last parade was provided by dedicated Special Constables who provide their time free of charge so may I suggest you write to GMP and put this to them.Pre P.a.c.e

This is outrageous, the policing for the last parade was provided by dedicated Special Constables who provide their time free of charge so may I suggest you write to GMP and put this to them.

Score: 2

Sweeneyprepace
9:43pm Sat 1 Feb 14

I second this. Special constables are more than capable of policing this and similar events and the cost would be negligible.

I second this. Special constables are more than capable of policing this and similar events and the cost would be negligible.Sweeneyprepace

I second this. Special constables are more than capable of policing this and similar events and the cost would be negligible.

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